The Historic Preservation of Atlantic Lighthouses Scott Abel Lighthouses contributed greatly to the economic prosperity of the United

States, along with the cultural heritage of North Americas eastern coastline. Americans recognized lighthouses for their aesthetic appeal and historic significance and as a result, preserved these structures for the enjoyment of future generations. The preservation effort lighthouses by both the private and public spheres of society resulted in a significant contribution to the historic preservation movement. These unique structures provided both unique challenges and rewards to those who invested time and funds to their preservation. Congressional legislation was critical for the preservation of lighthouses for use by future generations. Although citizens preserved some lighthouses before the enactment of legislation, the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 was critical to the preservation of many neglected lighthouses because it allows these structures to be privately owned, but still publically operated. The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, an amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act, employed the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with consultations from the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. According to the act, the Secretary of the Interior may determine which lighthouses outside the jurisdiction of the National Park Service for consideration as excess property and sold to the public. The act legally required owner of the lighthouse

to preserve the state of the lighthouse and be subjected to unannounced inspections from the Coast Guard, because an easement attached to the purchase of the lighthouse.1 The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act defined what is considered protected under the Act and explained the objectives of preserving lighthouses. The act preserves not just lighthouses, but all surviving light stations. Owners must upkeep not only the lighthouse, but the light tower, keepers quarters, garages, oil houses, storages sheds, barns, boat houses, pumphouses, tramhouses, piers, walkways, support structures, and all land pertaining to the structure. The purpose of maintaining lighthouses was to keep these structures standing for the purposes of recreation, education, historic preservation, demonstrating culture, and to act as a park. If necessary, lighthouses were still to maintain their original purpose as a navigational aide. The Federal government can legally replace, remove, or install navigational aides without the consent of the owner.2 There were multiple instances of private citizens purchasing lighthouses in the Chesapeake Bay since the Lighthouse Preservation Act was enacted in 2000. Between 2000 and 2008, the Federal Government relinquished ten Chesapeake Bay lighthouses. These were either donated to local governments or sold to private owners. One such light was known as the Craighill Channel Lower Range Front Light, which was constructed in 1873 and is the second caisson, or iron-encased, light built in the United States. As a result of being abandoned and neglected, the iron casing rusted and the ceiling boards rotted. The custodian, Cathy Taylor, spent at least $500,000 to restore it and then after three years of her supervision, the Coast Guard finally handed her the keys to the
1 2

US, National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, Public Law 106-355. US, National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, Public Law 106-355.

lighthouse. This gesture was mostly symbolic, because the lock no longer worked due to vandalism. Cathy Taylor was fortunate enough in finding people for assistance with such a bold endeavor. Four couples purchased a 1908 caisson lighthouse for $260,000 by in 2006 and were most upset when the Coast Guard told them to leave the premises, because the local Coast Guard unit was unaware of the purchase. Fortunately, they resolved misunderstanding and Coast Guard allowed the couples to stay in their home. There is much difficulty involved in transporting furniture such as a forty-two inch plasma flatscreen television and a hand-made modular kitchen table by ferry and then by crane. Despite the heavy costs and constant need of maintenance, these owners seemed to enjoy living in such structures.3 All the lighthouses in the United States were not for sale and there are some that remain under the control of the Federal government. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse to guided seafarers into New York City safely and kept them away from the dangerous shoals of New Jersey. The Colony of New York constructed this lighthouse, now known as Sandy Hook Lighthouse, in 1764 to help mariners reach New York City safely and to insure that the prosperity of merchants in New York. In 1789, the Federal government requisitioned the lighthouse because of an interstate dispute between New Jersey and New York. For over two hundred years Federal government maintained the lighthouse and in 1964 the Sandy Hook Lighthouse became a National Historic Landmark. The oldest operational United States lighthouse located in Gateway National Park and is currently run by the National Park Service, which received custody from the US Coast

Mary LeGrand, Got a Light? Chesapeake Bay Magazine, May 2008, 59-85

Guard in 1996. This lighthouse demonstrated how the Federal government successfully managed to maintain and upkeep a lighthouse.4 Joint private and public ventures in the Chesapeake region also managed lighthouse preservation successfully. These efforts represent a combined attempted by non-profit organizations and local governments in saving these deteriorating structures. One example of this effort was the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, which became part of the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The partnership to save this lighthouse began in 2004 and consisted of the US Lighthouse Society: Chesapeake Chapter, City of Annapolis, Annapolis Maritime Museum, and Anne Arundel County, which purchased the lighthouse from the Federal government. The Annapolis Maritime Museum ferried tourists from the museum to the offshore lighthouse, while Anne Arundel County preserved the lighthouse and understood the environment it was in. The lighthouse was generally kept as in the early 20th century although some parts were from the 1950s. Unlike other structures, to keep the lighthouse completely from the period of most lighthouses early history was impossible due to the necessity of modern navigational equipment. The Thomas Point Lighthouse, automated since 1986, still provides navigational assistance, so it is still maintained in part by the Federal government. Fortunately for the lighthouses purchasers, historic preservationists deemed that it was in good shape both internally and externally.5 The Chesapeakes three remaining screwpile lighthouses are all parts of museums. In the early twentieth century, forty-five screwpile lighthouses dotted the Chesapeake, but they fell victim to neglect and ice piles. Along with Thomas Point
4

New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Sandy Hook Light, http://www.njlhs.org/njlight/sandy.html National Park Service, Sandy Hook Light, http://www.nps.gov/history/maritime/nhl/sandy.htm 5 Thomas Point Lighthouse, Thomas Point Lighthouse, www.thomaspointlighthouse.org

Lighthouse, Hooper Strait Lighthouse and Drum Point Lighthouse are the remaining screwpile lighthouses in the Chesapeake. Drum Point Lighthouse, constructed in 1883 and decommissioned in 1962, moved the Calvert Marine Museum in 1975. Fire destroyed the Hooper Strait Lighthouse in 1877, but the government rebuilt it two years later. These lights kept the vessels that entered the Chesapeake Bay away from treacherous shoals and saved an unknown amount of lives.6 Maintenance of these lighthouses of the Chesapeake required many resources and much labor. Fortunately, people were willing to shoulder these burdens. The Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society assisted in maintenance of these monuments to Americas seafaring past through the assistance of volunteers. These volunteers helped by doing various tasks such as cleaning brass, painting, sweeping floors, and trimming plants. Volunteers helped with all sorts of tasks required to keep lighthouses protected and beautiful. The Chesapeake Chapter tried to get volunteers through its website and seeks donations to help pay for maintenance. The chapter also used member dues and sells lighthouse-related merchandise for the preservation of the lighthouses of the Chesapeake.7 American lighthouses played an essential role in the development of a maritime tradition that lasts to this day, the preservation of which composed an important aspect of historic preservation. Although their importance waned due to technological developments, these structures represented a significant part of our cultural identity. For the past thirty years, an effort by private and public organizations preserved lighthouses so that they may continue their initially intended purpose and add character to our nation.
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Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Hooper Strait Lighthouse, www.cbmm.org/wh-exhib-lhouse.html Richard Dodds, Calvert Marine Museum, Drum Point Light, www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/drumpoint.htm 7 US Lighthouse Society: Chesapeake Chapter, Volunteers, www.cheslights.org

Honor Code: